Maharlika Martial Arts: Aug 18 & 25, 2015

I'm combining both days into this entry. We continued on teaching the no contact isolation for TD1. We tried out a new game for the students. Something to give some pressure. We had them play King of the Hill. It looked like some of them were trying to do the techniques, but it later turned into something else. We worked on trying to get them to think of the techniques, but their attributes later would kick in and take over. Maybe we need to change it up next time. We'll try giving a different pressure/game to test their skills.

The student's liked the class. Hopefully, it didn't scare off some of the student's from the competitiveness of the game. We will see who keeps coming to class in the coming weeks.

Maharlika Class: 3/10/2015

We continued teaching Receiver grips. Two other students continued learning TD1. Guro Joe M. taught some differences in technique for the receiver grips. Guro Joe came from the West coast side of learning the drill. We showed both to see what differences and what works. Later, we had the students incorporate Receiver grips during TD1.

Maharlika Martial Arts April 1, 2014

Guro Joe C. lead out class. He added pressure to the 7 count passing drill by adding a few random attacks into the flow that made it harder to pull off the strips. I wasn't able to work out with the guys like I wanted. Still nursing a bum wrist. Hopefully, I'll be all healed up by sama sama 2014 in July. Noticed some of the new guys reaching for their strips. Tried to help them wait until the last minute to pull off the strip. I told them it looked like they were telegraphing or anticipating the move.

It was a good class to watch and help out.

Maharlika Martial Arts: June 18, 2012

We had a visitor from Oregon that trained with us in Maryland. Warren Dabney used to train with us long time ago but moved up to Buffalo, NY and now to Portland, Or.  In this class, we reviewed transitional drills and templates. We went over TD 1-5 and taught TD 6 to Warren. Later we reviewed template 4 of 12.

It was a good class to review curriculum. Sama Sama is coming up and I'm sure the members and instructors going will be excited. I heard some empty hand curriculum will be taught. I wished I was going, but will have to go next time. Wishing all my friends there to have fun and learn a lot. I'll be asking you plenty of questions when you get back.

Stick-Grappling @ Maharlika Martial Arts: March 19, 2013

On this night, Guro Bob went over Tuhon Tom's material for stick-grappling. I was excited to go over the material. They started last week which I wasn't able to make, but we reviewed the techniques in the beginning of class.

Techniques done last week (probably not the official terms):
• standing side control/clinch to neck smash
• standing side control/clinch to ribs grinding
• standing side control/clinch to Pez takedown
• standing side control/clinch to rear choke and if Receiver ducks out of side control--hold down head and strike.

Techniques done tonight:
• standing side control/clinch to thigh grind until Receiver falls to the ground--once on the ground, hit legs and ankles. At first, I started aiming for the head, but Guro Bob suggested to hit the legs because the Receiver has a better chance of grabbing the stick. If Receiver gets up again, close gap and place R in standing side control.
• standing side control/clinch to thigh grind--Receiver counters by pulling the stick up. Feeder quickly brings the stick up to the armpit. F reaches up and over with Lh to perform cop-lock. R counters and gets out of cop-lock. F flows from cop-lock to throat crush.

Some other techniques to perform if R tries to get arm out of standing side control/clinch: release hold of stick with Rh and reposition hold.

Near the end of class, I reviewed TDs 1-10 with Guro Joe Marana.

Next week, going over stick-grappling from the clinch.

Maharlika Martial Arts: Aug 28, 2012

Notes:

We combined the drilling of Atienza Kali and Sayoc Kali. We used 3 of 9 as the template. First we started with no tapping and just moved out of the way utilizing body movements, footwork, and angles. Some utilized boxing movements like bob n weave or ducking. We continued to switch partners so that everyone experienced different levels of height. It was interesting to watch how they moved to see what worked and what didn't work.

Next, we added the tapping with the movement in 3 of 9. Just like in AK, we stressed movement first and having the cross-tapping there just in case the blade got close enough to cut. Switching again partners to get a different energy. Last part of this exercise, we added a punch after every cross-tap. 

We then moved the class indoors...

We practiced the cross-tapping drill Guro Victor shared last time he was here. Progressing the drill from: Two palms down tap -- one palm down and the other palm up -- regular cross-body tap -- same side palm down tap. Later, we experimented with throwing a punch or an elbow while flowing during tapping. Next, we hit the focus mitts while tapping. Then we showed how it could flow from a punch to a tap and into phase 2 material. 

Before we ended class, we discussed reactionary gap. We gave the dollar bill drop as a demonstration to show how futile it was to grab the dollar after the Feeder let it go (in the reactionary gap). So we asked the question, "how can we shorten our reaction time or how are you supposed to catch the dollar bill?". So I purposely held the paper a little higher to see if anyone noticed what I was doing and let it drop. But this time Joe was able to catch it. Most of the guys picked up on what I did and we discussed what factors could shorten our reaction time. We came up with distance, gaining time, technique, and awareness (situational awareness). Joe and David provided excellent points about situational awareness. For example, being aware of potential dangers when walking down the street or how people posture to conceal a weapon. 

Be the Feeder.

We had a good class!

Maharlika Martial Arts: August 14, 2012

Guro Bob split the class in two groups. One group trained with 5 count passing drill and the other group trained AK Bolo evolution 1. I trained with the long blade group. We went over the template and later the two man drill. A few things to remember when performing long blade drills: movement with the feet, and angling the body in order to get an efficient counter and attack.

Maharlika Martial Arts: Aug. 7, 2012

We had an unexpected visit from Full Instructor Guro Victor Wong. It was nice to see another instructor in town. We had the class split in two groups. I was with the new guys and helped assist Guro Victor. He introduced a drill that shows different types of tapping. First, we started with two hands palm down to one hand palm down and the other palm up. This drill evolved into cross-body tapping to punching while tapping.

Later, we paired up and practiced drawing the blade from a concealed area. We added a modifier by having our partner add pressure while drawing a blade. Guro Vic then added another person to have a 2 vs 1 scenario.

Note: Can we draw a blade in a stressful encounter? Can we draw it quickly enough before being grabbed? Can we perform the technique needed to neutralize the situation?

Picture above is Guro Bob Shin teaching at sama sama Europe 2012.

Maharlika Martial Arts: July 10, 2012

Tonight we went over the Tomahawk template. One of the students wanted to see our material on the tomahawk. Each of us rotated different weapons because not all of us had a tomahawk available. Different weapons used were bolo, stick, straight blade, and mini blade. Each weapon had a different feel. It was nice to see and feel what could be used as a tomahawk and what had to change in order to make it work. Each weapon can reach that target of the template, but you have to manipulate the tool/weapon in order to maximize it's damage.

Next, Guro Bob showed us the different designs of tomahawks he had. He shared why they were designed and what they were used for. Handling each one felt different. Each tomahawks were weighted differently because of their use.

This was a good class. Very informative. Also, very nice to have Silak Jackie Sayoc visiting us for class!

Maharlika Martial Arts: July 3, 2012

Got some training at Maharlika Martial Arts. We went over some material that we learned at this year's Sama Sama 2012. Material that we covered tonight was a skill-set called Silak. Silak is part of the curriculum in Sayoc Kali that shows the empty hand techniques. Some of the techniques show destruction of the attacking hand and control. Other Silak moves goes straight into control. Either way, you eventually control the blade or blade hand to gain the upper hand in a blade attack. 

Thus, you maintain that mentality of being the Feeder even when being attacked. 

Training @ Maharlika Martial Arts: May 22

Tonight, Guro Bob had us partner up to work on our Atienza Kali long blade techniques. One training partner held out their stick while the other tried to hit it using long slashes. For those of you don't know, long slashes are chambered from the shoulder up. Short slashes are from the shoulder down. After a few tries of not hitting the stick, we tried short slashes. Once we were hitting the stick consistently, we backed up about a step and tried to hit the stick again.

We then tried hitting the hand while the receiver would move his hand away. We then progressed the drill to light sparring (only hitting the hand/arm).

I think all of us had a good time. Some of the guys got accidently hit in the gonads so I think they had a different perspective of the class.

On a side note, I wanted to mention Guro Bob is hosting Tuhon Carl Atienza on June 9, 2012 (Saturday evening training). Please contact Guro Bob Shin for more details: bobshin (at) gmail.com. I believe the materials covered will be Combat Analysis/Stategy session for long blade/stick.

Maharlika Martial Arts class: May 8, 2012

We had a small number of people today. We were reviewing TD's 1 - 5. Guro Bob asked us to play with the control locks in TD 5. Maybe to see if we could somehow throw the Feeder to the ground. The first control lock is called cop lock. It was hard to keep that person in the position because eventually the Feeder can get out of that hold or just switch the blade to his other hand. So, we tried some take-downs from the cop lock position and then from the standing choke.

First we tried puter kepala from the cop lock. Then, we tried double underhooks from the inside of the Feeders body. That technique didn't look too good. The Receiver would still be in range of getting hit with the other hand or cut with a second blade. Maybe it would work if you did a quick hip throw before he could react. So, we continued the flow into the next part of the drill which is the standing choke.

The standing choke was a little easier to figure out. We would just throw the person to the floor like reaping the leg and hip throw.

Remember, if attacked in the street. Try not to go to the ground and grapple with the attacker. He might have other friends ready to hit you up-side your head. But if attacked in a one on one scenario at home or office (enclosed area), I would consider throwing him against the wall or floor.

Training @ Maharlika Martial Arts: April 17, 2012

Guro Bob was not able to attend class, so I was able help David and Mosi instruct tonight. We started class by reviewing 5-count passing drill. We then drilled the grappling isolation for each count. Later, we free-flowed. Free-flow is done usually with one person with a blade (Feeder), but as a Receiver you can try to regain the upper hand to cross-tap, strip, disrupt or disarm (if you can). Mosi suggested that we try to flow smoothly and not in a jerky motion. . . trying to implement technique instead of power and speed during free flow.

Later, David had us try something new. Feeder and Receiver stood back to back. When Feeder initiated movement, that's when the fight would begin. It was an intriguing exercise, because David was trying to create that element of surprise. That was quite interesting. I wished we had more time to play with that. 

One element that I have to work on is my attempt to add strikes or disruptions when I'm the Receiver during the flow. I feel like I'm able to parry most of the attacks that a Feeder might use. Hopefully, I'll try mixing it in with my cross-tapping.

Cool... Be the Feeder!

Negative Responses or Positive Responses @ Maharlika Martial Arts: April 10, 2012

Today in class, we had three different groups working on what they needed to know for TD's (transitional drills). We had groups learning from TD's 2, 5, and 8. It's nice to see everyone working on something different and still have enough partners to work with.

One thing I notice happening (and I've done this too) was that the Receiver puts up his counter/parry before the Feeder attacks the target because they already know the drill. The Receiver knows that the Feeders next shot is to the neck or heart. I had to remind them to respond to the Feeders attack before acting on the drills next movement. I guess it's like dealing with bad situations in life.

Sometimes in life, we react too quickly before anything happens. Anticipating something bad is coming or going to happen because of past experiences. Or, our emotions start making us react wrongly/unreasonably, because we already feel it's coming. Stop! We have to reset ourselves and remember that things will happen when it gets there. When that moment comes, then we are ready to deal with it with correct responses (our positive/feeder mindset is ready to deal with it); not with bad responses or negative thoughts. But with positive thoughts (you can get through this bad time, you can overcome your fear of...) and thoughts of how you could learn from this bad situation.

Class at Maharlika Martial Arts: April 3,2012

I went up to visit Guro Bob's class. We went over 10 count Kayanan drill. Performed circular and bowtie versions. We later held focus mitts under the armpits to keep our elbows close to our body while we performed the drill. If anyone dropped them, we would have to do 20 push-ups. We did the drill at least  10 cycles. Luckily, no one dropped it.

We later went on to learn 5 count passing drill. We covered up to the third count of the drill with grappling applications. We couldn't finish all 5 due to time running out in class. So maybe next week we'll finish up the drill.

Training OODA Loop @ Maharlika Martial Arts: March 27, 2012

I headed up to train at Guro Bob's class in Columbia, Md. Class was split into two groups. I worked with the group who reviewed TD 5. I was trying to remember one sequence of moves that leads into a elbow check to the feeders arm. I forgot to tap the arm first and then throw the elbow.

There was a crucial point that I also forgot to perform. I should have thrown the feeder off balance or give him a shoulder bump as he turns around to thrust me. Guro Bob explained that I had to disrupt his OODA Loop in order to by time for me to be ready for the attack.

Both, the feeder and receiver have their own OODA loop. The person who is first to finish their OODA loop (Act), gets the upper hand in competition, fight, combat, gaming (Black Ops/COD), and business deals. Even playing team sports like basketball or football uses this process whether they know it or not.

It may take a receiver a longer time to Act if they are trying to Orient or Decide how to tap/parry a blade attack, cover/block a punch, or stuff a takedown if they haven't seen it before. It will be too late to react because the feeder finished with their OODA loop while the receiver is still trying to Orient himself to the attack.

What does OODA loop mean? Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.

"The name of a tool or where it came is not as important as what it does - Sayoc transitional drills, OODA Loops, feedback cycles, whatever -- the ability to assess incoming and stored data in a dynamic environment and use it to make accurate forecasts of future events in a violent situation is a powerful asset to bring to a tactical environment. Tuhon Christopher Sayoc is offering training in the field and others as part of the curriculum of Sayoc Kali, and doing so is positioning his students at the epicenter of comercially available edged weapon dynamics." --by Steve Chrusciel: Sayoc Transitional Drills, Distortion of Time Perception during Tactical Encounters.

Seminar with Guro Bob Shin in Va Beach...March 3, 2012

If you are in the Va Beach area or would like to get a taste of what Sayoc Kali is like, Guro Bob Shin is a Full-Instructor Level-3 in Sayoc Kali. He will be conducting a seminar at  IMPACT-Athlete Martial Arts Academy in Va Beach.

I highly recommend trying it out. Having been trained from Guro Bob at Maharlika Martial Arts, I can attest that you'll be learning from one of the best instructors in Sayoc Kali.

Guro Ervin, who heads the IMPACT Academy in Va Beach, holds instructor certificates in FMA, Jun Fan Gung Fu (Bruce Lee's art) under Guro Dan Inosanto. He is also a certified Thai Boxing instructor under GM Surachai (Chai) Sirisute.

Training @ Maharlika Martial Arts: Jan 17, 2012

Guro Bob started the class with transition drills. We paired up with partners who knew the same transitional drills. I paired up with Joe Cepressi and reviewed TD's 1-6. We had to ask Guro Bob for some details on TD's 7-9. It was good to review them. Hopefully, we'll get to review TD 10 next time.

Guro Bob taught 5 count passing drill. Joe and I demonstrated the grappling isolation for each count.

It was a good class. I'm still trying to get TD 6 into muscle memory. I'll probably have to write down the drill to let it soak in.

Getting Robbed @ MMA: Nov 15, 2011

Guro Bob asked each one of us . . . What would you and three other friends do if you were being robbed?

Would we all jump him at the same time? Would we sacrifice one person? Who would make the first move? In this scenario, we had one robber with a gun holding up 4 people. We tried a few things. . . one person tried for the gun while everyone else grabbed for a limb. We tried sneaking one person in while the gunman was being distracted. All our efforts fell short. One person or all of us were getting shot.

A tactic that worked consistently was to have the targeted person initiate the first move. His move has to be quick and committed to alter the target of the gun away from himself and his friends. Then each one has to help move the gun up and away while taking a limb.

Two groups of thought happens in this situation. It won't happen to me, so I won't need to think about it--reacting. Or if it happens, I have a plan--acting. Will you be the one reacting or will you be the one acting with a plan before it happens?

Training @ MMA: Nov 1, 2011

Training at Maharlika Martial Arts fun. Guro Bob went over what we learned with Tuhon Carl Atienza. We got to do some zombie scenarios and team scenarios. We also tried two vs two. I should have kept my awareness up because I got hit good in the head a few times.